Five Days in Iceland

You really can’t beat a country like Iceland for stunning natural beauty. It’s a playground of geothermal energy, and an endless source of photography goodness. Plus it’s just all around quirky. Did you know that Icelandic people really do believe in elves? There are “no go” areas for the country because nobody wants to annoy the elves. True story.

This video by Joren de Jager shows that even a short five-day trip around the country can yield some pretty amazing images. Him and some friends rented a 4WD and drove along the south coast, from Reykjavik to Jökulsárlón. Despite skimming only the surface of this marvelous country, they sure did a lot with their limited time. He says, “We saw beautiful falls, a lot of ice and snow, and so much more. We even had the luck of seeing the Northern Lights a few times.

He’s a brave man for facing the harsh winter conditions. When I visited last year in October, things were cooling down considerably. In the dead of winter? It’s a great deal colder. On the other hand, the opportunities for seeing the Northern Lights are tenfold. A Northern Lights tour tends to be on many people’s bucket lists, so Iceland is a great place to make it happen.

Another option for travelling around Iceland (although Jökulsárlón is a MUST) is to take the route up through Myvatn and the Westfjords. Things tend to get a little less crowded up there, and Iceland’s second biggest town, Akureyri, is a must-see. It’s the quintessential college town, with tons of adorable shops and bars. If you’re looking for more excitement, try an Iceland volcano tour. You can’t beat an experience like that.